The Advantages:

The Problem:

Potential bite and jaw joint problems from teeth shifting to fill the space

The “sunken face” look associated with missing teeth

Desire to improve chewing ability

Desire for a more permanent solution than dentures

Desire to improve one’s smile

The Solution:

A bridge is a single appliance that is typically attached to the tooth on each side of the space where a tooth is missing. An artificial tooth attached in the middle of the bridge fills in the gap where the missing tooth was. The teeth on either side of the gap are prepared for crowns (see crowns) and an impression or mold is made of the prepared area. This mold is used to create a porcelain (tooth-colored) or gold bridge in a dental laboratory. The bridge is then cemented onto the prepared surface of the teeth, effectively creating the appearance of a “new” tooth. It is not removable.

Advantages:

Unlike dentures, a fixed bridge is never removed. It is stable in the mouth and functions like natural teeth. By filling the gap and stopping the movement of other teeth, a fixed bridge is an excellent investment. It provides increased chewing efficiency, helps to avoid possible bite or TMJ problems, and can be highly esthetic.

Disadvantages:

Fixed bridges are excellent restorations and have few disadvantages. They are highly durable, but they may eventually need to be replaced due to normal wear.

Alternatives:

In the event that a fixed bridge is not feasible or desirable, an excellent alternative is a dental implant.

A fixed bridge is provided in place of missing teeth. If one tooth is missing, a three unit bridge is fabricated to fill the void. The two teeth on either side of the missing tooth are prepped and the three crowns are fabricated and bridged together, creating one solid, continuous bridge.